1973 Cleveland mayoral election

The Cleveland mayoral election of 1973 saw the reelection of Ralph Perk.

Cleveland mayoral election, 1973

November 6, 1973

Nominee Ralph Perk Mercedes Cotner Party Nonpartisan Nonpartisan Popular vote 90,350 45,267 Percentage 66.62% 33.38%

Mayor before election Ralph Perk Republican Elected Mayor Ralph Perk Republican

This was the first Cleveland mayoral election to use a nonpartisan system.

Primary election

Candidates

• James M. Carney, businessman and 1971 Democratic Party nominee for mayor[1]
• Ralph Perk, incumbent mayor
• Joseph Pirincin, 1971 Socialist Labor Party nominee for mayor[2]
• Robbie Scherr

Results

Primary election results[3]

Candidate		Votes	%
Ralph Perk (incumbent)		56,560	54.92
James M. Carney		44,459	43.17
Robbie Scherr		1,126	1.09
Joseph Pirincin		838	0.81
Total votes		102,983	100

General election

On October 11, James M. Carney withdrew from the race, citing "personal" reasons.[1] Carney's campaign committee selected then-City Council Clerk Mercedes Cotner to replace him on the ballot.[4]

Results

Cleveland mayoral election, 1973[5]

Candidate		Votes	%
Ralph Perk (incumbent)		90,350	66.62
Mercedes Cotner		45,267	33.38
Total votes		135,617	100

References

1. "CANDIDATE QUITS CLEVELAND RACE (Published 1973)". The New York Times. 13 October 1973. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
2. "11 CANDIDATES VIE IN CLEVELAND RACE (Published 1971)". The New York Times. 22 August 1971. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
3. "Cleveland Mayor - Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
4. "CLEVELAND POLL FAVORS THE G.O.P (Published 1973)". The New York Times. 4 November 1973. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
5. "Cleveland Mayor". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 9 October 2020.